In the great state of South Carolina on March 26, 1914; William Childs Westmoreland was born to later become General during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He first showed his various talents by becoming a Boy Scout achieving the rank of Eagle Scout before entering the Citadel in 1931. Once he transferred to West Point, he exemplified various talents as a cadet. In fact, by the time of graduation he became the corps’ first captain. He received the high honor of the Pershing Sword. He later was assigned to artillery. At the outbreak of World War II, he continued to soar and was lieutenant colonel by 1942. He continued to climb the ranking ladder to become major general in 1956. Then the Vietnam War came around. In the beginning, Westmoreland was only deputy commander and acting commander of the MACV, but it was only a short time before he became permanent commander and controlled all of the US forces in Vietnam. Throughout the war as his tactics changed, Westmoreland lost most of the support from the public of the US and ended up being replaced by General Creighton Abrams in June of 1968. He soon retired completely and ended up passing away on July 18, 2005.
General William “Waste More Land”
Article by:
John T. Elson
June 27, 1968
When the Vietnam war began four years ago in 1964
the famed General William Childs Westmoreland was the sole
commander of the U.S. Forces in Vietnam. Everyone believed then
that the war was helping the U.S. to contain communism and it
should be the United States fight. It was around this time the article
"General Westmoreland- Man of the Year" was first published. Well
America...what do you think of your "man of the year" now? Without
even taking into account the questionable methods and tactics taken
by this so called famed general, his continuous efforts to persuade
the President to give him more troops to bring into the fight in Vietnam
when it had become abundantly clear the War was not a fight meant
for the United States to engage in.
In the great state of South Carolina on March 26, 1914; William Childs Westmoreland was born to later become General during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He first showed his various talents by becoming a Boy Scout achieving the rank of Eagle Scout before entering the Citadel in 1931. Once he transferred to West Point, he exemplified various talents as a cadet. In fact, by the time of graduation he became the corps’ first captain. He received the high honor of the Pershing Sword. He later was assigned to artillery. At the outbreak of World War II, he continued to soar and was lieutenant colonel by 1942. He continued to climb the ranking ladder to become major general in 1956. Then the Vietnam War came around. In the beginning, Westmoreland was only deputy commander and acting commander of the MACV, but it was only a short time before he became permanent commander and controlled all of the US forces in Vietnam. Throughout the war as his tactics changed, Westmoreland lost most of the support from the public of the US and ended up being replaced by General Creighton Abrams in June of 1968. He soon retired completely and ended up passing away on July 18, 2005.
Article by:
John T. Elson
June 27, 1968
When the Vietnam war began four years ago in 1964
the famed General William Childs Westmoreland was the sole
commander of the U.S. Forces in Vietnam. Everyone believed then
that the war was helping the U.S. to contain communism and it
should be the United States fight. It was around this time the article
"General Westmoreland- Man of the Year" was first published. Well
America...what do you think of your "man of the year" now? Without
even taking into account the questionable methods and tactics taken
by this so called famed general, his continuous efforts to persuade
the President to give him more troops to bring into the fight in Vietnam
when it had become abundantly clear the War was not a fight meant
for the United States to engage in.